DETECTIVES hunting a rapist who dragged a woman into woodland in Southampton are urging three potential witnesses to come forward.

As previously reported, the 29-year-old victim told officers how she was approached by a man as she made her way back to her car in Cypress Avenue.

She described how the man then threatened her before forcing her to a nearby wooded area where she was raped.

A dark-coloured saloon vehicle was seen driving past the scene shortly afterwards and a man and a woman were also heard by a resident in Acacia Road to be having a heated discussion in the area at around 2.30am.

Officers believe they may be key witnesses to the sex attack and could have seen the suspect leaving the |area.

Anyone with information should contact DI Jim Park at Southampton Central Police station on 101 quoting Operation Imogen.